Former Toronto Maple Leafs general manager,longtime league executive and Hockey Hall of Famer Jim Gregory died onWednesday. He was 83. Gregory after working in various roles in the organization.Heserved in the position for 10 seasons, whereToronto made the playoffs eight times during his tenure before he and the team parted ways in 1979. The Port Colborne, Luis Robert Jr. Jersey Ont. nativeis credited with being among the first league executives to import European talent into the NHL, including SwedishHall of Fame defenseman Borje Salming, who played 16 seasons for the Maple Leafs. Healsoacquired Hall of Famers Darryl Sittler and Lanny McDonald during his tenure with the team. It is impo sible to expre s the extent to which the National Hockey League family adored Jim Gregory and the lo s we feel as a result of his pa sing, NHL Commi sioner Gary Bettman said in a statement. Jim Gregory wasnt just a great hockey man, though he certainly was that. He was a great man a devoted husband to Rosalie, his wife of 60 years; father to Andrea, Valerie, Maureen and David; grandfather of 13; and mentor and friend to too many to number." The Maple Leafs are deeply saddened to learn of the pa sing of former general manager Jim Gregory. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. Read our full statement from President & Alternate Governor Brendan Shanahan: Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) After Gregoryleft the Leafs organization, the league hired him as itsDirector of CentralScouting. He was named executive director of hockey operations in 1986 and later served as the senior vice president of hockey operations and supervision. The NHL also credits Gregory as being "integral" to the implementation of video to review goals and the Central Scouting Bureau's expansion. In this role, he also called out the names, amateur hockey affiliationsand new NHL teams of prospects at more than 30 NHL Drafts. He also served as the chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame's selection committee from 1998-2014 and wasvoted into the Hall by other committee membersduring a health-related absence in 2007. Jim was one of the first to welcome me to the NHL almost 27 years ago and I have treasured his friendship and relied upon his wisdom every day since," Bettman said in a statement. "Nobody loved the game more. Nobody ever served it better. We will mi s him terribly. The Player of the Game award presented at the annual CHL/NHL top prospects game is named after Gregory. Zach Deloach Jersey